Kochi (formerly Cochin) has been a bustling trading hub for centuries. Many cultures have left their marks –Chinese fishing nets swing near Portuguese mansions and English colonial remains. Eight Bastion, overlooking the lively harbour and close to Fort Kochi, makes a great base. From here, head out on a peaceful late-afternoon cruise to watch the sun sink into the horizon.

Eighth Bastion

Immerse yourself in the heady spice markets, wandering through narrow lanes infused with the scents of turmeric, cloves and cardamom. Then head down to the waterfront to watch the fishermen casting those huge, sail-like Chinese nets. You’ll eat good seafood here. End your day at a kathakali performance, a display of extravagant costumes and expressive dance.
Eighth Bastion

The peaceful village of Kumarakom is set on a cluster of little lake islands. Here, you will spend two nights at Coconut Lagoon.
Coconut Lagoon

The best way to explore the leafy backwaters is to cruise aboard an elegant rice barge. Float lazily through a timeless landscape of lush-green paddy fields, forested highlands and sandy beaches, observing fishermen casting their nets and the bustle of life in the waterside villages.
Coconut Lagoon

Plunge into Periyar National Park. Nestled in the Cardamom Hills and centered on Lake Periyar. Take a walk with an expert naturalist and keep your eyes peeled for an array of colorful birds.

Spice Village

Drive up through verdantly unfurling tea plantations to reach the refreshing hill station of Munnar. The charming Windermere Estate, your home for two nights, overlooks the emerald-hued hills.

Windermere Estate

Explore the Windermere Estate’s manicured tea gardens and thick forests, on foot or by bicycle. Look out for many exotic birds, and stop off to shop for teas and spices.
Windermere Estate

It’s a dramatic drive to the escarpment of the Western Ghats and into Tamil Nadu, an equally dramatic state. Artistic culture thrives here, and the landscape is liberally dotted with ornate temples. Head first to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in South Asia, where the hilltop Gateway Hotel will be your base.
Gateway Hotel

The temple town of Madurai is known as the ‘Athens of the East’ –its rich cultural heritage spans more than 2,500 years. Madurai is home to a maze of markets and museums, but the jewel in its crown is the 12th century Meenakshi Temple, a multi-tiered, technicolour wonder of a building, heaving with carved mythical figures and devoted pilgrims. A guide will help you unravel its mysteries.

Gateway Hotel

It’s a short flight to Chennai, a bustling hub on the Bay of Bengal. Stay at the luxurious Trident, where you can indulge at the spa. Treat-ments on offer combine traditional and Western technics, and provide the perfect way to unwind at the end of a busy, but brilliant, Indian adventure.

Trident

Fly back to the UK.